Grants

Recent Grant Announcements/Resources

 

USDA Announces Ranking Dates for Major Conservation Initiatives
Ranking dates have been announced for the On-Farm Energy, Organic, Seasonal High Tunnel and Air Quality conservation initiatives. All four initiatives offer technical and financial assistance through the Natural Resources Conservation Service's (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

NRCS accepts applications for financial assistance on a continuous basis throughout the year. There will be three ranking periods for the Organic, On-Farm Energy and Seasonal High Tunnel initiatives, all ending on February 3, March 30 and June 1, 2012. Ranking periods for the Air Quality Initiative end February 3 and March 30, 2012. At the end of a ranking period, NRCS ranks all submitted proposals for funding consideration. NRCS will notify all applicants of the results of the rankings and begin developing contracts with selected applicants.

The On-Farm Energy, Organic and Seasonal High Tunnel initiatives are available in all 50 states, the Caribbean Area and the Pacific Basin. The Air Quality Initiative is available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Montana, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. Air Quality funding is limited to counties within these nine States that have serious air quality resource concerns related to non-attainment for Ozone and Particulate Matter.

Initiative Overviews
On-Farm Energy Initiative: NRCS and producers develop Agricultural Energy Management Plans (AgEMP) or farm energy audits that assess energy consumption on an operation. NRCS then uses audit data to develop energy conservation recommendations. Each AgEMP has a landscape component that assesses equipment and farming processes and a farm headquarters component that assesses power usage and efficiencies in livestock buildings, grain handling operations, and similar facilities to support the farm operation.

Organic Initiative: NRCS helps certified organic growers and producers working to achieve organic certification install conservation practices for organic production. New for fiscal year 2012, applicants will be evaluated continuously during the ranking periods. Applications meeting or exceeding a threshold score may be approved for an EQIP contract before the end of the ranking period. Applications rating below the threshold score will be deferred to the next period. A new threshold score will be established at the beginning of each ranking period. This new scoring process allows organic producers to implement conservation practices in a timelier manner.

Seasonal High Tunnel Pilot Initiative: NRCS helps producers plan and implement high tunnels, steel-framed, polyethylene-covered structures that extend growing seasons in an environmentally safe manner. High tunnel benefits include better plant and soil quality, fewer nutrients and pesticides in the environment, and better air quality due to fewer vehicles being needed to transport crops. More than 4,000 high tunnels have been planned and implemented nationwide through this initiative over the past two years.

Air Quality Initiative: NRCS helps producers address air quality concerns on their operations. Assistance includes establishing cover crops, planting windbreaks, implementing nutrient management practices and applying other conservation measures that mitigate and prevent air quality problems. Conservation practices installed through this initiative reduce airborne particulate matter and greenhouse gases and conserve energy.

Visit the NRCS National Web site for more information on how to apply for these initiatives and connect with an NRCS office near you.

 

Healthy and Humane Farm Funds
Food Animal Concerns Trust's (FACT) Healthy & Humane Farm Funds Project will provide small grants to qualifying humane farmers who need assistance in improving the welfare of their farm animals. FACT is committed to funding at least five farms each year, with the anticipated grant size of ranging from $500 to $1,500 per farm.
Applications are due by April 1, 2012.

1772 Foundation Funding for Northeast Land Trusts
The 1772 Foundation has announced that funding will be made available for land trusts that meet the following criteria: Have a primary interest in farmland protection; Protect farmland within a 100-mile radius of Boston or New York City; Have adopted the Land Trust Alliance's Standards and Practices.
Letters of inquiry will be accepted until February 10, 2012.

Win a Free Orchard for Your Community
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) is an award-winning international nonprofit charity dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants to alleviate world hunger, combat global warming, strengthen communities, and improve the surrounding air, soil, and water.

FTPF and Dreyer's Fruit Bars are planting orchards across the country in a collaborative program called Communities Take Root (CTR). Through this exciting program, communities compete in a nation-wide vote to win a complete community orchard.  FTPF orchards are a wonderful way for communities to grow fresh fruit for the community, beautify neighborhoods, strengthen relationships, and build community food security—all through the simple act of planting fruit trees.

In 2011, twenty communities around the country won orchards for public parks, community gardens, food banks, homeless shelters, and community centers. To see information about this year’s winners, go to: www.communitiestakeroot.com.

We are now inviting applications for 2012. The first 100 qualified applicants will be in the running to win a free orchard, including orchard design, arborist expertise, and a fun community planting event. And, orchard recipients also receive a free community workshop on planting, pruning and caring for fruit trees.

 

FSA Targets Funds for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers
The Pennsylvania State Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the availability of funds for Socially Disadvantaged (SDA) individuals who want to purchase or operate a family-size farm in fiscal year 2010. Learn more

Conservation Loans Available to Farmers and Ranchers
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Pennsylvania, reminds farmers and ranchers that the Agency will make and guarantee Conservation Loans (CL) to producers who want to promote conservation on their land as well as conserve the country’s natural resources.  Learn more

Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund
Business owners can now apply for their share of $2 million in low-interest loans funded by the Ohio Department of Agriculture through a newly created Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund. The Agriculture Revolving Loan Fund will make loans available for the creation and expansion of businesses and industries that support agriculture and rural Ohio that focus on aquaculture, food processing and biofuels in Ohio. Loans will range from $10,000 - $100,000, and the revolving loan fund will finance up to 90 percent of the total project cost. No application deadline is specified. Learn more

USDA Announces Conservation Reserve Program General Sign-Up - Learn more

Farm Aid: Food Systems and Rural Development Funding Opportunities - Learn more

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition's Guide to USDA Funding for Local & Regional Food Systems - available here

Northeast SARE - Graduate Student Grant, read more here.

Yes to Carrots - Garden Challenge, tell them why your school wants to build or revamp a school garden!

Cold Storage Facilities Now Eligible for USDA Facility Loan Program
Producers Can Expand Market Opportunities, Build New Capacity
 
On March 17, 2010, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said that the Farm Storage Facility
Loan program has been amended to allow producers to build cold storage facilities to store their fresh fruits
and vegetables. This program is part of USDA's 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative and uses
discretionary authority provided by the 2008 Farm Bill authorizing the eligibility of cold storage facilities for
fruits and vegetables.  The announcement is available here.
 
For more information on this program or other FSA farm programs please contact your local FSA county office or visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov.

Farmers' Guide to the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
Read more here.

Value-Added Produce Grant
The USDA plans to award planning grants of up to $100,000 and working capital grants of up to $300,000 to successful applicants. Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that use existing agricultural products in non-traditional ways or merge agricultural products with technology in creative ways. Businesses of all sizes may apply, but priority will be given to operators of small and medium-sized family farms - those with average, annual gross sales of less than $700,000. Applicants must provide matching funds equal to the amount of the grant requested. Ten percent of the funding being made available is reserved for beginning farmers or ranchers and socially disadvantaged farmers or ranchers. An additional ten percent is reserved for projects involving local and regional supply networks that link independent producers with businesses and cooperatives that market value-added products.

Information, forms and other useful data will be available on the Value-Added Website: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm

For further information about this program, please contact Bernard Linn, 717-237-2182, bernard.linn@pa.usda.gov or Dane Bowerman, 717-237-2283, dane.bowerman@pa.usda.gov.

Small Socially Disadvantaged Producer Grant
To provide technical assistance to small, socially-disadvantaged agricultural producers through eligible cooperatives & associations for cooperatives. Find more here.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A program of the U.S.Department of Agriculture awards grants to small businesses to support high quality, advanced concepts research related to important scientific problems & opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefit if successful. Learn more here.

Ag. Secretary Vilsack Announces $17 Million in Beginning Farmers/Rancher Grants

While visiting with farmers in Lothrop, Mo., Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that USDA is making more than $17 million in grants available under the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. Read more here.

Rural or rural area is defined as. Any area of a State not in a city or town that has a population of more than 50,000 inhabitants, according to the latest decennial census of the United States, and the contiguous and adjacent urbanized area. You can check rural eligibility for business programs at the following website:  http://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do

Online Resource Center to Help with Value-Added Producer Grants find more here.

USDA Pays Farmers to Maintain Grassland
The Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) pays farmers who own grassland or pastureland to ensure that this land will be designated and remain as grassland. To learn more about this program click here

Clean Ohio Agricultural Easement Purchase Program
To learn more visit this website

Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR)
Offers grants to qualified small businesses (including small and medium-sized farms) in support of high quality, innovative research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefit if successfully commercialized. For more information contact Dr. S. Sureshwaran, National Program Leader, at ssureshwaran@csrees.usda.gov, (202) 720-7536 or visit the SBIR website.

Young & Beginning Program
Farm Credit Services of America offers a Young & Beginning Program featuring financial benefits for less-established producers. This program is designed for producers age 35 or younger, or with 10 years experience or less. This is a loan program. For more information, visit the Farm Credit Services of America website.

The National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program
The Cost-Share Program allocates funds to 15 states, reimbursing producers for the cost of organic certification. Producers may be reimbursed for up to 75 percent of their organic certification costs, not to exceed $750. The eligible states are: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming. To qualify for reimbursement, an organic production operation must have been certified on or after December 21, 2000. For more information, visit the USDA Cost-Share Program page or find the Cost-Share Rep. for your state.

Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that offers financial and technical help to assist eligible participants install or implement structural and management practices on eligible agricultural land. Any farmer engaged in livestock or crop production on eligible land may apply for EQIP. Eligible land includes cropland; rangeland; pasture; private non-industrial forestland; and other farm or ranch lands, as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture. Approximately two of every five applicants in the statewide signups will be successful in securing an EQIP contract. Since the signups for most practices are handled on a county basis, individual county results may vary from this statewide average. For more information visit the EQIP website.

Grants Available Through the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Product Promotion Matching Grant Program
717-787-6041
www.agriculture.state.pa.us
Funds projects that increase consumer awareness of Pennsylvania's agricultural products to increase sales of these products.

Agriculture and Rural Youth Organizations Grant Program
717-787-6041
www.agriculture.state.pa.us
Funds projects that increase knowledge and awareness of agricultural and rural issues in Pennsylvania, especially among youth and teens.

Agriculture Linked Investment Program
717-772-4189
www.agriculture.state.pa.us
Provides low-interest loans to help agricultural operators implement best management practices that are part of approved nutrient management plans under Pennsylvania's Nutrient Management Act.

Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
800-468-2433
www.agriculture.state.pa.us
Establishes new market opportunities for farmers by bringing new customers to local markets. Designed to provide participants in the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program with supplemented foods, including locally grown fruits and vegetables.

Hardwoods Development Council Grant
717-772-3715
www.agriculture.state.pa.us
Promote access to timber resources on private and public lands; support the development of domestic and international markets for timber products; promote the development of value-added manufacturing; and promote the public understanding of the role the hardwoods industry and its products.

Next Generation Farmer Loan Program
717-787-6041
www.agriculture.state.pa.us
Provides low-interest loans to beginning farmers. Provides effective means for federal-state-industry linkages so the public sector can assist beginning and first-time farmers to purchase land and farm equipment and breed livestock.

Plan Development Incentives Program
717-772-4189
www.agriculture.state.pa.us
Provides incentives through cost-share funding to help offset the costs of developing a nutrient management plan under Pennsylvania's Nutrient Management Act.

Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

Alternative Energy Production
www.newpa.com/find-and-apply-for-funding/alternative-energy-funding/index.aspx

Appalachian Regional Commission
800-379-7448
www.arc.gov
Provides grant funding to support the development of human and community infrastructure in the 52 Appalachian counties in Pennsylvania.

Ben Franklin Technology Partners
717-787-4147
www.benfranklin.org
Regional centers that provide funding through various investment funding mechanisms to support research and development of new products or processes, and various services to businesses that introduce or develop new technologies.

Business in Our Sites
717-787-7120
www.newPA.com
Offers flexible loans and grants to local municipalities and their economic development partners to create opportunities for future business growth through the acquisition and preparation of key sites for development.

Center for Entrepreneurial Assistance
800-280-3801
www.newPA.com
State government's lead office for small business development. Works to enhance the entrepreneurial vitality of the Commonwealth and to build an environment that encourages the creation, expansion, and retention of successful small businesses.

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
717-720-7402
www.newPA.com
Provides financial and technical assistance to help communities in their community and economic development efforts.

Community Economic Development Loan Program
717-783-5046
www.newPA.com
Provides assistance to startup and fledgling businesses that will provide products or services to communities previously unserved or underserved.

Community Revitalization Program
800-379-7448
www.newPA.com
Supports local initiatives that improve the stability of communities and enhance local economic conditions.

First Industries Fund
717-787-7120
www.newPA.com
Provides grants, low-interest loan financing and loan guarantees to farmers and owners of tourism and agriculture-related businesses.

Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers
215-898-4861
www.pasbdc.org
Network of 16 university-based centers and more than 90 outreach locations operating under the guidance of the state director.

Regional Marketing Initiative Grant Program
800-237-4363
www.newPA.com
Provides matching state funds to regional tourism development efforts across Pennsylvania.

Pollution Prevention Assistance Account (PPAA)
717-783-5046
www.newPA.com
Provides assistance for small businesses to implement pollution prevention and energy-efficiency projects, enabling these businesses to adopt or install equipment or processes that reduce pollution, energy use or raw materials.

Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PENNTAP)
814-865-0427
www.penntap.psu.edu
Helps Pennsylvania businesses improve competitiveness by providing free technical assistance and information to help resolve specific technical questions or needs that can be addressed within a limited amount of time.

USDA / Farm Services Agency Beginning Farmer Down Payment Farm Ownership Program
717-237-2135
www.fsa.usda.gov
Loans to purchase a farm or ranch.

Direct Emergency Program
717-237-2135
www.fsa.usda.gov
Emergency loans to restore or replace essential property, pay all or part of production costs associated with the disaster year, pay essential family living expenses, reorganize the farming operation and refinance indebtedness with certain limitations.

Direct Farm Ownership Program
717-237-2135
www.fsa.usda.gov
Loans to purchase land, construct buildings or make other improvements, and to undertake soil and water conservation.

Direct Operating Program
717-237-2135
www.fsa.usda.gov
Loans to purchase livestock, poultry, equipment, feed, seed, farm chemicals and supplies; to undertake soil and water conservation; and to refinance indebtedness with certain limitations.

Guaranteed Farm Ownership Program
717-237-2135
www.fsa.usda.gov
Loans to purchase land, construct buildings or make other improvements and undertake soil and water conservation. Loans may be used to refinance debts.

Farmland Protection Program
717-237-2200
www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov
Voluntary program that helps farmers keep their land in agriculture. Provides funding to state, local, or tribal entities with existing farmland protection programs to purchase conservation easements.

Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI)
717-237-2200
www.pa.nrcs.usda.gov
Works to maintain and improve management, productivity and health of the nation's privately owned grazing land.

Farm Labor Housing
717-237-2299
www.rurdev.usda.gov/pa
Provides capital financing for the development of housing for domestic farm laborers. Loans are made to farmers, farm associations, family farm corporations, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and farmworker associations.

Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Grant Program
717-237-2289
www.rurdev.usda.gov/pa
Makes direct loans, loan guarantees, and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements.

Value-Added Producer Grant Program
570-836-5111
www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/coops/vadg.htm
Assists independent producers, farmer and rancher cooperatives and agricultural producer groups entering into value-added activities. Applicants must meet specific selection criteria. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis.

Small Business Loans
215-580-2722
www.sba.gov/pa/phil
Guaranteed loans to small businesses that cannot obtain financing in the private credit marketplace, but can demonstrate an ability to repay loans. Guaranteed loans are provided to eligible, for-profit small businesses.

PA Grows
888-724-7697
www.pagrows.com
PA Grows is the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's new initiative designed to assist agricultural producers in gaining access to the capital they need to begin, continue, or expand their businesses.

Grants Available from the USDA

USDA programs include:

Energy Technical Assistance Funding

Energy Audits and Renewable Energy Development Assistance - deadline July 26, 2010

for more information go to: http://farmenergy.org/news/energy-techical-assistance-funding-notice-released

Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grants

Value-Added Agricultural Product Market Development Grants (VADG) was authorized by the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000 and has two primary objectives. The first is to encourage independent producers of agricultural commodities to furthered refine these products increasing their value to end users. The second objective is to establish an Information resource center to collect, disseminate, coordinate, and provide information on value-added processing to independent producers and processors. Federal State Marketing Improvement Program (AMS - USDA)

Marketing Services Branch (AMS - USDA)
The Marketing Services Branch (MSB) Program focuses on four types of markets: wholesale, collection, farmers, and direct markets. MSB plans and designs facilities, processes, and methods in cooperation with State, local and tribal governments, universities, farmer groups, and private enterprise segments of the U.S. food industry. This assistance is available through collaboration efforts with project participants in the form of cooperative agreements. This is not a grant program. MSB also provides technical assistance, information and data to assist in developing feasibility studies for wholesale, collection, farmers and direct markets.

Rural Development Agency (USDA)
Rural Development may have funds available for your project. If you are a cooperative, Rural-Business Cooperative Services may be the most appropriate match. Check with your local field office for more information.

Food Nutrition Service (USDA)
The Food Nutrition Service (FNS) at USDA has been known to provide limited funds to support farmers markets in low-income areas. These funds have been available on the state level. For information on state FNS contacts, visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/MENU/CONTACTS/CONT.HTM.

Additional grant information available at:
USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, & Extension Service www.csrees.usda.gov/

Grants Available from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Application Announcement for the Compost Infrastructure Development Grant Program

Applications for the program may be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Waste Management at (717) 783-2388. Applications are also available electronically on the Department's website at http://www.dep.state.pa.us (directLINK "Compost").

Other Grant Resource Websites

Project for Public Places
www.pps.org Diversifying Public Markets & Farmers' Markets - This grant's initiative is being undertaken in partnership with the Farmers' Market Coalition, a program of the North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association (NAFDMA/ FMC) to support public market networks (with a specific focus on farmers markets), individual farmers markets, and state/regional farmers market associations. The 2006 public markets grant program aims to strategically support markets, especially in low- to moderate-income communities, to become more economically sustainable and community-centered. Granting is over for 2006, but check the website for upcoming requests for proposals.

Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE)

www.sare.org SARE is a competitive grants program providing grants to researchers, agricultural educators, farmers and ranchers, and students in the United States.

Research and Education Grants:
Ranging from $30,000 to $150,000 or more, these grants fund projects that usually involve scientists, producers, and others in an interdisciplinary approach.

Professional Development Grants:
To spread the knowledge about sustainable concepts and practices, these projects educate Cooperative Extension Service staff and other ag professionals.

Producer Grants: Producers
apply for grants that typically run between $1,000 and $15,000 to conduct research, marketing and demonstration projects and share the results with other farmers and ranchers.

Other grant opportunities:
Graduate students, community development practitioners, and ag educators conducting on-farm research can apply for grants in some SARE regions.

W.K. Kellogg Foundation
http://www.wkkf.org/Grants/ See the site for specific grant requirements. Funding is available in several areas including health, food systems & rural development, youth & education, etc.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania
http://www.ruralpa.org/ Grant Program One-year grants are provided to conduct applied research or identify local strategies that can result in legislative or program policy recommendations. Multiple-year projects may be financially supported for up to three years. However, grantees must submit annual proposals and must fulfill current year grant requirements. The maximum allowable grant award is $50,000 per year, per project.

Mini Grant Program
Mini Grants are awarded to projects that focus on basic data collection and analysis, time-sensitive issues, and/or the preparation of reference materials. Projects sponsored as Mini Grants are a maximum of nine months in duration and are eligible for a maximum of $10,000 in Center support.